| There is no denying it: Ottawa is known is one of the | | | | At different intervals along the way there were a |
| coldest capitals in the world (only as far as | | | | variety of rest areas, food concessions and special |
| temperatures are concerned though). But does that | | | | entertainment or information areas. Well represented |
| mean you stay at home during the winter and mope? | | | | of course is a famous Ottawa trademark: the |
| Absolutely not! Ottawa has turned a potential liability | | | | Beavertails concession booths which sell freshly made |
| into a key asset and really shows us how to celebrate | | | | warm pastry, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. The |
| winter. | | | | perfect snack and energy source on a cold winter's |
| First there is Winterlude, Ottawa's winter festival, which | | | | day. |
| is being held this year from February 3 to 19, 2006. | | | | At the Via Rail Concord Station Rest Area an exhibit |
| Winterlude is apparently attended by more than | | | | shed light on Ottawa's railroad history. Apparently |
| 650,000 winter revellers and encompasses a myriad | | | | many years ago, trains would arrive in downtown |
| of events: concerts, special events, culinary | | | | Ottawa right next to the Rideau Canal. At Fifth |
| demonstrations, restaurant festivals and the list goes | | | | Avenue, young sports fans were enjoying the |
| on. Skating on the Rideau Skateway, at almost 8 km | | | | Canadian Tire JUMPStart Activity Centre where they |
| the world's largest icerink., was our main reason for | | | | were jumping through the air on a trampoline system |
| coming to Ottawa. Indeed we had travelled to Ottawa | | | | and putting their hockey skills to the test. |
| about 3 years ago and due to warm weather | | | | At Pig Island a special area with teepees was set up |
| Winterlude was a total washout for us that year (I | | | | to get a taste of Aboriginal traditions, culture and |
| guess the appropriate term for that event would be | | | | cuisine. In addition the area featured a loggers' exhibit, a |
| "Waterlude"). | | | | snowshoe-making workshop and aboriginal songs and |
| But our earlier experience didn't deter us, so this year | | | | drumming. |
| Theresa and I decided to come back and pray for | | | | Once arrived at Dow's Lake I went on to explore the |
| better weather so we would indeed be able to check | | | | 26th Annual Bed Race, a fundraising event which |
| out this phenomenal skating and entertainment venue | | | | proved to be an absolutely hilarious experience, for a |
| for ourselves. | | | | good cause no less. The Bed Race is organized by |
| Incidentally, the Rideau Canal Skateway has been | | | | the Ottawa Kiwanis Club and the proceeds, close to |
| recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as | | | | $50,000 will go towards the Children's Read-A-Thon. |
| the world's largest naturally frozen ice rink. The | | | | A young hockey star tests his skills at the Canadian |
| skateway is 7.8 kilometers long and takes you from | | | | Tire JumpStart Activity Centre |
| the Rideau Bridge all the way to Dow's Lake. | | | | But I had more to cover, so I started skating back |
| We got going early just around 10 am on an absolutely | | | | towards the downtown and by this time the skateway |
| perfect winter day, but even at that time, the | | | | had filled up quite a bit. It seemed like young and old, |
| skateway was packed, and the walkthrough over the | | | | the whole family was out. Parents were pulling their |
| frozen ice from Confederation Park to the skateway | | | | children on little sleds, or even pushing them in all-terrain |
| entrance on the other side of the river was chock full | | | | baby carriages. Everybody was having a ton of fun. |
| with people in a long lineup. | | | | On the way back one person struck my attention: a |
| We laced up our skates and put our boots in our | | | | young lady on red skates with red gloves and a red |
| backbacks which would give us the flexibility to get off | | | | scarf was skating down the canal, juggling, apparently |
| the ice at any time and continue our explorations on | | | | just having a ball of a time. I approached her to find out |
| foot. Or if we got too tired, we could even hop on the | | | | a bit about her. She introduced herself as Sylvie, and |
| "Sno-Bus" which connects Dow's Lake with | | | | shared with me that she is part of a juggling family and |
| Confederation Park during the entire Winterlude | | | | that juggling is in her blood. She said that juggling is her |
| Festival for the low fee of $2.50 (more information on | | | | life, and although she doesn't drive the fanciest car, she |
| the OC Transpo site) . | | | | is happy because she gets to do what she loves. |
| But, apparently we didn't need a Sno-Bus, we skated | | | | After all this skating I got really hungry, so I took off my |
| our way down on this wonderful natural ice surface all | | | | skates and simply headed up to the Rideau Centre, |
| the way to the lake and didn't even need to rest. On | | | | one of Ottawa's biggest shopping centres. It is located |
| this gorgeous day with crystal blue skies and perfect | | | | right next to the Canal and was positively packed on |
| winter weather and amazingly no winds, skating on the | | | | this day. The Rideau Centre offered a welcome |
| Rideau was a phenomenal experience. We could | | | | opportunity to warm up and catch a nice lunch in its |
| indeed not have picked a better day to explore the | | | | food court. |
| Rideau Canal on skates. | | | | |